Has Koeman done more than we think at Everton?

When Ronald Koeman reflects on his first season in charge of Everton, one imagines he will hone in on the negative aspects as much as the positives.

That's his character. A perfectionist, a winner, call it what you will. Certainly, the Dutchman is someone who continually strives for more, and believes he can get it too.

In the cold light of day, though, the 2016-17 campaign should be viewed as one in which Koeman showed exactly why the Blues were so keen to hire him last summer, and why fans are right to dream of a brighter future with him at the helm.

In the space of 11 months, he's made Everton the best of the rest in the Premier League. Not an ambition for the long term, sure, but one which will do for now, given the two years of dross endured previously.

Ronald Koeman the Everton manager looks on during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Everton

Furthermore, he's done so with a squad of players which, let's be honest, is miles away from what he actually wants.

How many of the team that started here will do so on the opening day of next season, if the summer goes to plan? Three maybe? Four? How many of the substitutes will be in the mix? Two at best.

Everton's season has tailed off, undoubtedly, but at least it has done so with the club safely placed in the top half of the table.

And Koeman is as responsible as anyone for putting them there. Let's see what he can do when he gets a few more of HIS players.

The hard work starts now for Calvert-Lewin

He started it as a substitute for Sheffield United, appearing in the League One side's EFL Cup defeat to Crewe back in August.

Now, he's a Premier League player with appearances at Anfield and Old Trafford under his belt and a new five-year contract in his pocket.

Calvert-Lewin has clearly done enough to pique Ronald Koeman's interest. He's kept Kevin Mirallas out of the side at times, and was selected ahead of Ross Barkley and Ademola Lookman here. He's not been spectacular, but his diligence, attitude and potential have been noted.

Armed with his new deal, the 20-year-old must now demonstrate that he is capable of becoming an established first-team presence at Goodison. His physicality will, you imagine, progress naturally, but his movement and game intelligence will need to improve.

And if his 11 th appearance in an Everton shirt, which lasted just 45 minutes, showed us anything, it is that the young man is NOT a winger.

He's had a good week, the kid, but this was a reminder of what being a Premier League player is all about. And just how hard it is.

In truth, not an enormous amount. He was quiet in the first half, seeing little of the ball between the lines as the game struggled for quality.

His set-piece delivery, talked up by Koeman before the game, was mixed to say the least before the break. He did, however, create a chance for Alfie Mawson in open play – only a terrific block from Mason Holgate prevented the goal.

Everton fans will have noted his touch, elusive movement and willingness to take the ball in any situation.

Where have the shots gone?

The statistic is grim, and tells its own story.

Three games, five shots on target. Everton's attack has deserted them.

This was not as bad as at West Ham, when they failed to force a single save from the 'keeper, but it wasn't much better.

Romelu Lukaku of Everton and Tom Carroll of Swansea City challenge for the ball during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Everton at the Liberty Stadium

Sure, Swansea had more to play for – and the advantage of a vibrant home crowd – but they also had pressure to play under. They're fighting for their lives; Everton did little to make life harder for them.

Apart from one Romelu Lukaku shot which he fielded, Lukasz Fabianski's evening was spent in comfort. Lukaku offered little, Dominic Calvert-Lewin less. Kevin Mirallas and Ross Barkley, who came on at half time, at least looked busy but didn't threaten.

Mirallas' late header, glanced wide when he had more space than he knew, was as close as the visitors came – and even that wasn't particularly close.

Jonjoe to get his chance against Watford?

Almost 12 months separated Jonjoe Kenny's first Premier League appearance and his second, but his third should arrive soon enough.

The young Scouser was thrown on in the dying embers here, replacing Mason Holgate at right back for the final 12 minutes.

Immediately, he improved his side.

Jonjoe Kenny of Everton during the Premier League match between Swansea City and Everton at the Liberty Stadium

Nothing spectacular, just a couple of smart passes down the right and one devilish delivery that deserved better.

Holgate, in fairness, was Everton's best player in the first half, but if there's one thing we know about him by now, it is that his long-term future is in the centre of defence.

So with Phil Jagielka, in particular, struggling badly here, why not shift Holgate across and give Kenny his maiden start against Watford on Friday?

The 'same again' approach will tell Koeman nothing he doesn't already know; a gamble may just give him something for him to think about.